Newbie and thinking about buying a Mosin!

[alankulwicki7]

Hey all,
I've been doing some research on the Mosin Nagant rifles for the past few months. Now I'm thinking about buying one and I'm looking for some advice.

I've got a couple of options in front of me:

1953 Chinese Type 53 Carbine - rifle looks to be in nice shape. Blueing, crown and rifling all good. Stock is somewhat beat up (seems to be common with these) $160

1945 Mosin M44 Carbine - rifle looks to be nice shape. Not sure about particulars but seller is asking $300

1941-1944 Mosin 91/30 - Can pick one from a crate at a local gun shop. $189 (and that includes lane rental for 2 and a gun rental: $45 value).

Just looking for a decent shooting gun for fun target practice. If I was going to buy a rifle for hunting I would spend more money but I just want a decent rifle that shoots fairly cheap ammo. Also looking for a small slice of history.

I have not inspected any of these guns yet. Just been talking with the seller on the two carbines.

Anyone have any advice?

[entropy]

Welcome to the forum. I'd recommend a 91/30 from the shop, or the T53, if with eyes on it, it matches the description. When picking from the crate, pick the one that speaks to you. Hex recievers are nice, older dates are nice, some prefer Tula over Izhevsk arsenal. (Star mark on barrel shank for Tula, Triangle with arrow or hammer and sickle with some scrambled eggs around it for Izhevsk, depending on date.) But maybe a '42 Izhevsk with a 'wartime expedient' finish (rough, tooling marks)
might be the one for you.

Read all the stickys on care and feeding of the Mosin on this forum, Lotta good info there.

[JoeZ]

Agree with Entropy.
I'm really new to this stuff too, but have really become obsessive about it. Once you get one, you'll be interested in more. Then as soon as you shoot it, it's game over. You'll be constantly thinking about what the next one will be, how much you're going to spend on it and how to sneak it in the house if you're married.
My first one (currently only one) is a 1945 M44. I think that was the most common year for them.......I think. Again, I am new and my knowledge is very limited, but 300 seems a bit more than what I'd spend on one out here in Arizona anyway.
I am very cheap and usually dont mind walking away from things from time to time though. Not saying it isn't worth it, just more than I'd put into one personally.
The 91/30 and the 53 both sound good compared to what I'm seeing lately. The 91/30 especially if you get your pick and lane rental for 2. That sounds like its really sweetening the deal if you were going to pay anyway. A friend of mine has a 53 and yes, the stock looks pretty beat up. It is common in all the ones I have personally seen.
The guys on here can tell you much more than I can as far as what to look for and what is more collectable, etc. This a fantastic site and full of information and people who are happy to help you out. A great resource. I'm currently in the hunt for my next one.
Take care.
Joe

[jones0430]

Average price for T53s is around the $200 mark. M44s around $250, and 91/30s about the same. These are average prices over the last few months.

[alankulwicki7]

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to stop in the gun shop this afternoon and see what they have to choose from. I've used their gun range a few times so the extra $45 would come in handy there. Maybe I can find a Hex or Tula in the mix there. Last time I looked I don't recall seeing anything other than 1941-1945 dates but I did not pay attention to the arsenal marking.

I do like the idea of the carbine length, too. The same person is selling the M44 and T53 so I will check those out before I make my decision.

Thanks!
Doug

[djbuck1]

This is one of life's (few) more pleasant choices.

Do lots of reading first to educate yourself about what you are buying. Go to YouTube and watch all of RockIsland1913's Mosin Nagant videos (and the rest later). That's the YouTube nick of Junk Yard Dog.

I have one T53 just to have one. The asking price on that M44 is pretty salty, IMO.

Read up on M91/30 refurbs, and get the rifle that speaks to you.

[alankulwicki7]

I stopped in the gun shop today and unfortunately they were out of Mosin's. They checked their other locations and they were sold out as well. They might be getting some more but it may be a few weeks.

In the mean time, I think I''m going to look at both of the carbines and see what they look like in person. The Type 53 kind of piques my interested in that it's pretty cheap.

I'll keep you posted!

Doug

[Cosmoline guy]

I really miss the days of 91/30's under $100.

[Adam_9130]

If you can I'd get em all!! . All would be good choices!! Mosins are getting harder to find, I'd probably start with a 91/30

[bunkysdad]

Welcome to the forum Alan. What you stated is quite common. You see or hear about a few Mosins, decide to get serious and go check it out and they are gone. I don't think you would go wrong with any of the choices you mentioned so now it is just a matter of finding one. Original finish is important even if you are looking for primarily a shooter. Don't let anyone try to sell you a rifle that has been refinished or modified and especially if they are trying to get top dollar for a rifle that has had it's value reduced. Good luck.

[alankulwicki7]

Hey all,

Now there is an M44 in my area. It's missing the cleaning rod and the stock could use a refinish. The seller is asking $200 so I'm going to check it out. I assume that's a pretty fair price?

Thanks!
Doug

[NLMosin]

double post please delete...

[NLMosin]

I paid more for my M44 than that but stopped regretting it the instant I shot it. Nothing like 3 foot fireballs!! It is far and away my favorite shooter. Im relatively new to the sport of collecting mosins...and I have 8! Any of those choices would have been ok. Now that your LGS is out of them I'll bet you are thinking the same way. Take a real loooong hard look at the T53's though. Some of them can be pretty rough. Welcome to your addiction!

[millman]

Hey all,

Now there is an M44 in my area. It's missing the cleaning rod and the stock could use a refinish. The seller is asking $200 so I'm going to check it out. I assume that's a pretty fair price?

Thanks!
Doug

The stock needs NO refinish.

[King Johhny]

I'll have to recommend a 91/30 for you. they are great means of getting into the milsurp community! Welcome to the board!

[Vendetta]

Hey all,

Now there is an M44 in my area. It's missing the cleaning rod and the stock could use a refinish. The seller is asking $200 so I'm going to check it out. I assume that's a pretty fair price?

Thanks!
Doug

The stock needs NO refinish.

+1

[djbuck1]

Hey all,

Now there is an M44 in my area. It's missing the cleaning rod and the stock could use a refinish. The seller is asking $200 so I'm going to check it out. I assume that's a pretty fair price?

Thanks!
Doug

No, no, no. You do not refinish milsurps no matter what you may see/hear on YouTube or elsewhere. If you do, you are effectively destroying the historical value of the weapon (and in my opinion, it's disrespectful). If appearance is important to you, just hold out for one that looks good. Even with that, the crappy "shellac" the Commies used is about as durable as chocolate coating.

You can pick up a cleaning rod through Liberty Tree, one of this site's sponsors.

If the M44 is mechanically sound and does not look like it was rolled down a hill in a barrel of rocks, then I would say $200 is a good price!